Still Water Moments: The Calendar vs God’s Timing
Philippians 1:6 “being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
January is typically viewed as a time of new beginnings and in some instances it is. However, January is also in the middle of winter in the United States. Depending on where you live, it can be freezing cold, the trees bare, birds have flown south, sunsets occur earlier, etc. The environment can sometimes look and feel desolate but that doesn’t mean there’s no growth happening, it’s unseen. If we look at nature, one of God’s great teachers, many plants and trees may be dormant but dormant doesn’t mean dead. In nature, dormant can mean resting/hibernating, slowed down, and temporarily inactive. However, we know that this state of nature is not permanent. While things may look bare now, we are confident that spring will bring new life. Those trees that have no leaves have roots that are still growing during the winter although we can’t see it. The root growth may be slower than in warmer months, but there is still growth and preparation for supporting the life to come, the flowers that bud from the branches before the leaves grow.
Do you have the same confidence that personal growth is taking place in you even though it may not be seen or felt? Please do not get caught up in frustration and disappointment if the new year is not starting with everything you wanted in place. Nature shows us that even when things look desolate, there is still growth happening. The same goes for us as Christians. God does not get caught up in our timetables for personal goals as Isaiah 55: 8-9 tells us, “’For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’” declares the Lord. “’As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.’”
As long as we have breath in our bodies, God is concerned with our sanctification. This forward movement is a Creator designed personal journey complete with biblical encouragement, circumstances, support systems, trials, etc. to cultivate growth in Him. Our journeys don’t reset based on the Gregorian calendar. They progress based on the timing within His plan and our allegiance to it. Just as roots continue to grow in winter to support forthcoming life, our growth helps to support the forthcoming blessings that we wouldn’t have been able to handle previously.
If what you desired for the new year was something tangible, such as a new home, job, relationship status, etc. you may wonder how personal growth relates to receiving or not receiving these things. It’s all in our interpretations in receiving or not receiving them. If you received them, is it viewed as a blessing from God and elevates your worship in the process? That is growth! Or is it seen as something you deserve because you’ve “lived right”? On the converse, if you didn’t receive the item(s), do you feel punished? Forgotten? Or do you see it as an opportunity to cultivate your faith that it will happen in God’s timing? Furthermore, do you see it as an opportunity to trust His timing and that He knows best? I’m not saying having these mindsets are easy or natural. I am saying we are faced with an opportunity to choose a positive Godly perspective which incorporates growth in the process.
There is a quote that says something to the effect of, “Trust His heart even when you don’t see His hand.” This statement brings me comfort in instances when I don’t see God moving in a situation. It is a reminder to trust that He is working although I am not seeing manifestations of it yet. Even if we are “temporarily inactive”, (i.e. stubborn and hesitant to follow God’s direction), God never is. He doesn’t give up on us and because He loves us so, He will continue to draw us by His Spirit. We can delay the outcomes by not complying with His instructions, but growth is imminent once we align with Him. While you may not be where YOU wanted to be at this time, celebrate the growth and the forward movement in the process, no matter how small. Celebrate that HE has a plan for you that is enveloped in His love, care and intentions for you.
Reflection: When it comes to your personal spiritual growth, (hopefully), you are not where you were this time last year. Think about the ways you’ve grown over the past year and celebrate and praise God for them! Ask Him to show you how you can further that growth in the coming year.
